NEW DELHI, Apr 2
A group of 16 tourists from Delhi, Maharashtra, Orissa and Gujarat among other states completed the first trip of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat worship on Monday through a helicopter package launched by the Uttarakhand tourism department.
The initiative is aimed at promoting Winter Tourism in the Himalayan hinterland under the Vibrant Village program, and providing employment opportunities to the locals, according to a press release.
The tourism department hailed the completion of the first trip as a “pioneering initiative to promote tourism in the remote areas of the State, thereby creating employment opportunities for the local population.” ‘“Through this novel tourism product, the State envisions to promote ‘High Value Low Volume’ tourism on the area, also aligning with the Government of India’s Vibrant Village Program (VVP),” the department stated, according to the release.
The package includes pickup and drop services from hotels in Pithoragarh, a 2-hour helicopter ride covering aerial darshan of Adi Kailash, Om Parvat and other peaks followed by breakfast, the release stated. A 4 nights/5 days package is also scheduled to commence from April 15, which will include stay at Pithoragarh for a night, at Gunji/Nabhi/Nepalchu for 3 nights, six helicopter rides and transfers by All Terrain Vehicles.
The bookings for the package can be made through http://www. triptotemples.com. “This visionary project represents the Government’s unwavering commitment to providing accessibility and economic empowerment to the inhabitants of this majestic Himalayan region during the winter season, while simultaneously promoting Aero tourism in the State,” the release said. The helicopter operations will be active during the winter season, which, the release added, coincides with the observed transhumance phenomenon in the Valley.
